DeVigne at The Mandeville

‘Divine’ might be too strong a word for it, but the bar at The Mandeville is certainly a mildly funky venue that aims to please corporates, tourists & local customers with its cheeky, glammed-up interiors, mirrored glass, colour & tactile details. Robert Gaggl & Francisco Santos hold sway over a flexible, seasonal drinks list which embraces the vogue for ‘back in the day’ classics & on-trend foodie ingredients such as dripping honeycomb or almondy tonka beans – used to great effect in the tonquin garden (Zubrowka, rhubarb, bitter oil & the shaved beans themselves). Indecisive types can order a tray of cocktail shots – five tastes from the drinks menu for just £27.50. In the face of all this innovation, the nachos & club sandwiches continue to look a bit naff.